I don’t know about where you live, but Southwestern Virginia has been hot and muggy (when it’s not raining) for the past week or so. Summer has arrived and I’m sure that the heat and humidity will only intensify. During this time, I’ve walked through the stickiness to the mailbox and found two books that in one way or the other deal with dogs:
The Art of Racing the Rain by Garth Stein, sent to me by HarperCollins
Secrets of Happiness by Sarah Dunn, which I won from Beth Fish Reads (whoo hoo!!!)
These things together reminded me of the phrase the “dog days of summer.” This in turn got me thinking of hosting a fun theme week here by that name. When inspiration hits me this fast, I tend to go with it. So, the week of August 24th will officially be The Dog Days of Summer week at The Literate Housewife Review! There will be prizes like books, rub-ons, and limited edition bookmarks! Since this just occurred to me this evening, I don’t have the entire thing sketched out yet, but I think you’re getting the idea.
Preliminary Contest
There is one thing I know is missing – a third book for the week. I want to highlight three books about dogs that week, but I only have two. I need a third book. This is where you, my beloved and loyal readers come in. I need your suggestions. The only requirement is that it not be a recent release (last five years). I’d like to read something that’s offf the radar so to speak. Any ideas?
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To sweeten the deal, there will be a prize leading up to Literate Housewife’s Dog Days of Summer. I’m going to pick the one that interests me the most, but every person who leaves a comment with a suggestion will be entered. The prize? You will be guaranteed one of the limited edition bookmarks and I will send you three books from my pile. What are you waiting for? Leave me a suggestion!
This preliminary Dog Days of Summer contest is open until Friday, July 3rd at 11:59 pm EST. I’ll announce the winner on July 4th.
Would you Like to Participate?
If you would also like to celebrate the dog days of summer by reading these books or reading your own canine selections, feel free! I’m going to scare up a cool graphic to go along with the event. I’ll post it when I announce the winner. If there is sufficient interest, I’ll add Mr. Linky to that post as well. By the end of August, we’re going to need something fun to get us through until Labor Day.
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I thought “A Dog About Town” by J. F. Englert was a humorous and charming little cozy mystery (the dog is the sleuth). It’s only a couple of years old, and out in paperback.
rhapsodyinbooks’s last blog post..Giveaway – “The Last Child” by John Hart
I have been circling around The Dogs of Babel, but not yet landed on it. It’s just on the outside of the 5 year thing (2003), but might be a good one.
I’ve got Marley & Me on Mt. TBR, but it’s def not an “out of the way” read.
The Kool-Aid Mom’s last blog post..Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
How about Amazing Gracie: A Dog’s Tale by Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff? Gracie is a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane adopted by Dan (co-founder of Three Dog Bakery, inspired by Gracie). It was first published in 2000.
Kat’s last blog post..Movie Mondays
Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo
or
Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck
softdrink’s last blog post..when Geeks wear sombreros
The Call of the Wild or White Fang by Jack London.
claire’s last blog post..Sunday Salon: Life Gets in the Way of Reading
What about The Incredible Journey?
It’s a story about two dogs and a Siamese cat whom travel cross-country to reunite with their master.
Megan’s last blog post..Two Angels
Of course, the obvious to me is “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”, which is FABULOUS! I also just finished a book lately that was required reading for my son called “A Dog’s Life: An Autobiography of a Stray”. It is a short, easy read and very precious. I loved the book as much as my son did.
Sandy’s last blog post..Bon Voyage!
The first book that popped into my head was Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, but you may not want to read it since it’s a kid’s book. It is great, though.
Kathy’s last blog post..Review and Giveaway: Into the Beautiful North
Lots of great suggestions so far. Another one that comes to mind is “To Dance with the White Dog” by Terry Kay. It’s interesting how many of the titles mentioned have been made into film. There’s just something about those dogs
The only one I can think of right now (other than a couple already suggested) is “The Boss Dog” by M.F.K. Fisher. It’s a short book, first published 1991.
You come up with great ideas, Jennifer!!
Valerie’s last blog post..Book Review: “Spin-Free Economics”
Marley & Me… but, of course!
These are oldies from my past, but how about Sounder or Big Red?
My first thought for this was: To Dance with the White Dog. I see someone else already said that one so I will also suggest: Watchers by Dean Koontz or there is always: The Hound of the Baskervilles. Whatever you pick I’ll be reading along with the Dog Days.
Tokemise’s last blog post..Summer Reading Challenge: Globe Trotter Picks
I would suggest that you consider one of Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’ books, The Hidden Life of Dogs, or The Social Life of Dogs. I just got both from PaperBackSwap for one of my girls and me to read. Maybe we will understand our wonderful dog better.
Old Yeller? Travels with Charlie?
I’m definitely considering joining this. And so glad to have played a small part in inspiring you!
Beth F’s last blog post..Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge: Sign Up
I’ll go with Tokemise and suggest Watchers by Dean Koontz. It’s not my normal type of book, more suspense/thriller/horror than I read nowadays, but Einstein is just about the best dog I’ve ever found in fiction.
Fyrefly’s last blog post..Neil Gaiman – Death: The High Cost of Living
I always seem to get to everything late. I already see the same book title that I thought of the story of edgar sawtell. Old Yeller, Call of the Wild. This is the first time that I started blogging that I was able to enter and will be able to participate in your event. I would love to join if there is room.
I am looking forward to the book club too. Thanks for all that you do.
Susan’s last blog post..Book Giveaway Plus A Bonus
The Call of the Wild
by Jack London[ i think]
i was reading the eBook! but i have not completed it! and it is really nice
So to participate.. I will read this eBook I have.. How many books do I have to read ? 3? I dnt have the books you mention
Veens’s last blog post..Cover Attractions
You are a Dog by Terry Bain
I have already read the two you mentioned. For a third, my suggestion would definitely be Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. I loved the story and the way the events were revealed. I would put it on par with “Racing in the Rain.” There are some serious moments (and depending on how you feel about dogs, scary) but overall a good read.
How about “Old Yeller” by Fred Gipson. Great book and movie. Or something kinda creepy…”Cujo” by Stephen King.
When our standard poodle died last year, I turned to a pets blogger for book recommendations, and he put Mark Doty’s Dog Years at the top of the list. (I have to say that 13 months later, I still haven’t had the courage to read it.)
Merle’s Door by Ted Kerasote
Oops. Just noticed that Merle’s Door was published in 2007. Another suggestion is Angus by Charles Siebert.
I just thought of another one. “The Plague Dogs” by Richard Adams. He’s the guy who wrote “Watership Down”.
Valerie’s last blog post..Book Review: “The Bluest Eye”
I don’t know about another dog book — but you got so many good suggestions that doesn’t matter.
The Racing in the Rain book is on my TBR shelf. I’ll remember to post my review as part of your contest.
Rose City Reader’s last blog post..Author of the Day: M. F. K. Fisher
[...] I will be posting more later today. Thanks to everyone who has supplied ideas for the third Dog Days of Summer Week. I will be posting my selection and the winner of the contest later this weekend. I also [...]
I recommend The Monster Dogs by Kirsten Bakis. If we ever registered our first Corgi with the AKC his name would have been Dogzilla of The Monster Dogs.
The only ones that come to mind are Marley and Me and of course Old Yeller.
I loved Marley and Me.
Count me in for the drawing! Thanks you!